2018-01-20 Sat

After the murder of Alamgir II, his son Ali Gauhar succeeded him by taking the title of Shah Alam II. Emperor Shah Alam was an ornamental figurehead with the reins of government actually under the control of his Wazir, Ghazi-ud-Din.

Shah Alam II became the emperor of a crumbling Mughal empire. His power was so depleted during his reign that it led to a saying in the Persian language, Sultanate-e-Shah Alam, Az Dilli ta Palam, meaning, 'The kingdom of Shah Alam is from Delhi to Palam', Palam being a suburb of Delhi.

This silver half Rupee of Shah Alam II minted at Shahjahanabad. The obverse of the coin is inscribed with Persian legend ‘Saya Fazl Hami Deen Muhammad Shah Alam’ with ‘Scissor’ mint mark. The reverse of the coin is read as ‘Zarb Shahjahanabad Sanah Ahad Julus Mainamat Manus’. This coin was sold for INR 36000 by Classical Numismatic Gallery.